Keeping cool while Boondocking

[Maxpowers]

Good day campers,

When we are Boondocking we only use the generator a couple times a day to charge computers, boat batteries, phones etc. etc. we have a Honda 2200 inverter generator so unfortunately it can’t run the air conditioner, even if it could we can’t run the Generator at night most times.

Wondering what other people do? Do you ever use your furnace air circulating system? Just the fan.

12v fans are available with cigarette lighter adapter’s however I have nowhere to plug it in.

Been out twice this year and trailer performed well.

Thank you in advance.



2019 Bullet 265
Ford F-150 tv.

[Logan X]

I open the windows and run the ceiling vent fan in the bathroom. It seems to do a good job of bringing in cool air and pushing out hot air. Also, I try not to boondock when and where it is very hot.

[busterbrown]

Invest in a good "whole house" fan like a MaxxAIR or Fantastic. These units will pull (or push) a tremendous amount of air volume off your DC circuit. Strategically open several windows around your coach to enjoy the fresh air.

Augment that with small portable DCV or ACV units and it will provide a good amount of comfort.

If usable amps are a problem from your current battery, an upgrade to a dual 6 volt bank in series or dual 12 volt deep cycles in parallel may be in order. I did the former and my usable amp hours tripled.

Good luck.

[rjrelander]

Google "swamp cooler" or "evaporative cooler". That's basically what we used in our trailer house growing up before AC. They make 12 volt DC versions and solar powered ones now as well. No idea how well they work but might be an option.

[Charby]

I installed 2 extra cigarette lighter adapter’s off of other 12 volt lights to allow extra fans for night use or laptop use while boondocking. I also have a Max Turbo air which keeps air moving while keeping windows closed on sunny side and opened on shady side of trailer. I also have changed to 2- 6 volt batteries with 120w solar panel and Yamaha i2000 generator for any extra juice required. This setup makes lakeside sites perfect.

[Tooth Ferry]

Micro aire Easy Start. A lot of people say with this installed on a 15000 AC a Honda 2200 can run the AC,sometimes even in eco-mode. Call their customer service for questions.

[travelin texans]

I would not use the furnace fan, it's not very efficient use of battery power, it's the biggest 12 volt & LP hog in a rv.

[Fishsizzle]

Bigger battery bank and a hybrid inverter will use the bank and the generator to get it started and then just use the generator once it gets going

[Canonman]

I installed two Hengs industries Vortex fans (poor mans Maxair)https://www.amazon.com/Hengs-Industries-90046CR-Replacement-501-1099/dp/B00DPJ3RDA/ref=asc_df_B00DPJ3RDA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089957955&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7570534116644503051&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029749&hvtargid=pla-570924433398&psc=1. One in the bathroom and one in the bedroom. Easy installation and they can either exhaust warm air out or reverse and bring cooler air in. Not perfect because they still use battery storage, but they do help get things cool enough to sleep comfortably.

[JRTJH]

We always camp in "cool places" and have found that if it's "really a cool place" then enduring the heat is worthwhile to enjoy the "coolness of the location".... I know, "doublespeak" but if going there is worth the effort, using a fan or opening a window is not a "high price to pay" to be where you want to be. Otherwise, there's usually a campground "down the road a mile or two" that has hookups. Camp there and "drive to the cool place'......

ADDED: When we were kids, I thought it would be "cool" to cut a hole for a 12 volt fan in one end of a old Styrofoam cooler and cut two holes for "vents" in the other end. Add a bag of ice to the cooler, turn on the fan and point the whole contraption so the vent holes "flow ice cold air" toward you.... It worked, but was usually a "soggy mess" by morning.....

[Pull Toy]

"12v fans are available with cigarette lighter adapter’s however I have nowhere to plug it in."

I believe you will find a 12volt plug where the plate for you antenna amplifier switch is located. You should find a co-ax connector, switch button, and cigarette lighter type of jack all on the same utility plate. It is probably hidden behind the TV set closest to the actual antenna. Hope this helps

Good Luck,

[danf]

I can vouch for the easy start. Iinstalled a micro air easy start on my 248rks and now can run the AC off one honda 2200 or from a regular 15 amp wall socket.

[mikec557]

We've use 12v O2-Cool fans, about 10in fan drawing .5-1a depending on speed setting. We also recently bought USB powered fans at Walmart. They're about 5-6in fan and draw .05-1a but that's at 5v (usb) not 12v, so you're battery life will last longer.

But as mentioned above, nothing beats running a MaxxAir or Fantastic Fan. We have the MaxxAir and on speed 2 of 4 it draws 2a, on 3 it draws 3a.

I think the key is get at least usable 50ah of battery, and better still at least a usable 100ah. "usable" meaning drawing your batter/s down no more than 50%.

[skids]

With a Micro Air Soft Start, I can run the 13500 Dometic airconditioner using my Wentinghouse igen 2400 Watt in eco mode. This device’s installation is not for the faint of heart. PS, I tested this at 8800 feet elevation and ambient air was about 65 degrees. This air conditioner would not start with this generator without the device.

I was able to get a different 13500 air-conditioner to start without it. It was in my Jayco. But I decided to install the hard start because my generator wouldn't start that AC at 10000 elevation.

There is a lot of discussion out there about using a hard start capacitor, which I never tried.

[skids]

Google "swamp cooler" or "evaporative cooler". That's basically what we used in our trailer house growing up before AC. They make 12 volt DC versions and solar powered ones now as well. No idea how well they work but might be an option.

Typically, swamp coolers make a lot of humidity.

[flybouy]

Typically, swamp coolers make a lot of humidity.
^x2 They work well in the desert type settings but in an area that's high humidity prone they will increase the relative humidity in close quarters and not help.